Photo of Courteeners © Michael Clement 2024
ANNOUNCE SEVENTH STUDIO ALBUM
RELEASED 25TH OCTOBER
AND UNVEIL NEW SINGLE + OFFICIAL VIDEO
“It’s the feel good, imposter syndrome hit of the summer”
Courteeners today announce their seventh studio album, ‘Pink Cactus Café’, set for release on October 25th on Ignition Records. This announcement coincides with the release of their new single ‘Solitude Of The Night Bus‘, with its official video out now.
Offering a glimpse into their upcoming album, new single ‘Solitude Of The Night Bus’ is a luminous fusion of euphoric electronic-pop, framed within the familiar architecture of their indie origins, and embellished with an infectious whistle that lingers long after the last note fades. Against the backdrop of the last bus out of town, the single captures the poignant dualities of solitude and expectation, exploring the soul’s quest for clarity amidst loneliness.
The video for ‘Solitude of the Night Bus’, directed by Dom Foster (The Coral/Paul Heaton), follows Courteeners frontman Liam Fray on a nocturnal journey aboard a late-night No. 17 bus, where the vibrant artwork from ‘Pink Cactus Café’ comes to life around him throughout the ride.
Reflecting on the single, Liam Fray describes, “This came at a time of real questioning. Things weren’t going particularly well. No confidence. No direction. I think that’s why – whisper it – it’s on the fun side. This is the new us. I’d previously worked with Ola [Modupe-Ojo] on ‘Hanging Off Your Cloud’ and, like then, there was just a magic in the room that was irresistible. It’s a summer breeze. But it’s a winter’s night. Either way, sometimes you have to block out the noise. My late Uncle Pat loved a whistle so it’s a bit of a homage to him. Get on the bus; headphones in; go your own way. It’s the feel good, imposter syndrome hit of the summer.”
‘Pink Cactus Café’ is Courteeners’ first new music since 2020’s ‘More. Again. Forever.’ which received critical acclaim and was widely regarded as one of the band’s most confident and consistent records. More recently, the reissue of Courteeners’ debut album St. Jude reached No 1 in the UK Album Charts in 2023, fifteen years after its original release.
With Liam Fray co-producing all tracks and the album featuring contributions from friends of the band such as DMA’S, Brooke Combe, James and Ian Skelly (The Coral), Pixey, Charlie Salt (Blossoms), Ola Modupe-Ojo (Bipolar Sunshine) and Theo Hutchcraft (Hurts) amongst many more, it’s the sound of a band pushing at all of the edges of what they do whilst retaining the core DNA of what makes their songs work so brilliantly, to so many: indelible melody and chest-proud choruses perfectly engineered for arena tours and sunset slots at summer festivals. It’s Courteeners at their very best.
Sharing further insight into ‘Pink Cactus Café’, Fray explains, “The last record came out on the cusp of lockdown so straight away I went into panic (writing) mode…on my own but with no real plan. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a side project, Courteeners, solo project. Just songs. Everything was up in the air. So, it wasn’t necessarily a Courteeners SOUND… I started reaching out on my Indie Rolodex as a bit of fun really, and it’s ended up being the most collaborative and rewarding thing we’ve ever done. It’s a real collage of an album, we threw everything into the melting pot. Cam & Cones have brought their magic to these songs, along with… to name a few…. DMA’S, Charlie from Blossoms, Theo from Hurts, James Skelly and his percussion genius of a brother – Ian, and two of the best vocalists out there in Brooke Combe and Pixey. It’s the most collaborative thing we’ve ever done, and we couldn’t be happier. Four and half years in the making, we genuinely believe it’s the best set of songs we’ve released into the world since St. Jude… we hope you buzz off them as much as we do.”
The album, released on October 25th, 2024, on Ignition Records, will be available in various formats: CD, LP, and cassette. Signed albums and heavyweight vinyl, including limited edition coloured formats, will also be offered, with all vinyl versions featuring an exclusive bonus track. Digital formats will include Dolby Atmos. Pre-order and pre-save options are available here.
Courteeners are gearing up for a summer of festival performances. Fresh off headlining a 25,000 capacity show at Lytham Festival, you can catch them at TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow on Saturday, July 13th, Boardmasters in Newquay on Friday, August 9th, and Victorious Festival in Southsea on Saturday, August 24th.
Courteeners are Liam Fray, Conan Moores, Michael Campbell with touring members Joe Cross and Elina Lin. Since releasing their debut album St. Jude in 2008, they have become one of the most cherished bands in Britain, building a huge community around their sold out shows that has seen them consistently play to packed houses and fields up and down the country. Across their 16-year career, the band have had consistent commercial success achieving BPI certified Platinum (x1), Gold (x3) and Silver (x2) awards for their albums. Earlier this year, Courteeners were awarded Band of the Year at the Nordoff Robbins Northern Music Awards.
Stay tuned for more from Courteeners, coming very soon!
Sweet Surrender (featuring Brooke Combe)
Weekend Shy Of A Feeling
Pink Cactus Cafe
Where Are We Now?
The Beginning Of The End (featuring DMA’S)
Solitude of the Night Bus
First Name Terms (featuring Pixey)
Lu Lu
Love You Any Less
Bitten By Unseen Teeth
Keep up with Courteeners – Instagram / YouTube / X / Website
